Morning Edition

Listen Live

Next

BBC Newshour

In-depth analysis and commentary on today's biggest news stories as only the BBC can deliver. BBC "Newshour" covers everything from the growth of democracy to the threat of terrorism with a fresh, clear perspective from across the globe.

City of Philadelphia signs 8-year deal with white-collar union

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and members of District Council 47 sign a deal that, if ratified, would continue through June 30, 2017. (Tom MacDonald/ for NewsWorks)

The city of Philadelphia and its white-collar workers have struck a deal for a new eight-year contract. They have been working under terms of an expired contract since 2009.

The agreement gives the workers of District Council 47 more for their wages and benefits, while saving the city money through new agreements for health care and pensions, Mayor Michael Nutter said Tuesday evening after meeting with union officials at the Sheraton Hotel.

“A $2,000 signing bonus in recognition of the time that employees have received no wage increases and an across-the-board 3.5 percent wage increase 30 days after ratification,” Nutter said in outlining terms of the agreement. “On July 1, 2015, employees will receive a 2.5 percent wage increase, followed by July 1, 2016, with a 3 percent wage increase.”Union president Fred Wright, who said he is happy with the deal, urged the city’s blue-collar union to return to the bargaining table.“I also want to extend my concern to District Council 33 to get in here because their members deserve a contract like our members deserve a contract,” he said.

A spokesman for District Council 33, Bob Wolper, had no comment on Wright’s advice.

The blue-collar union also has been without a contract for five years, but Wolper said he would not comment on District Council 47’s deal because his union members have not had time to study it in detail.

The union last sat at the bargaining table with city negotiators on Friday, Wolper said, for the first time in more than a year.

Wolper said the meeting was “productive.”

If ratified, the contract between the city and District Council 47 would be retroactive to July 1, 2009, and extend through June 30, 2017.